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Iolani takes 2 out of For Punahou and Iolani fans, last night was the ultimate. A tripleheader, all within four hours.
3 from Punahou
By Cindy Luis
cluis@starbulletin.comIt's a long and intense rivalry, no matter what the sport, no matter what the year.
There was more than just pride on the line yesterday when the "school up the hill" traveled down to the "school by the canal" for girls and boys volleyball and boys water polo.
Iolani batted .667 for the night, retaining the lead in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu boys volleyball standings at 8-0 with a 15-2, 16-14 win over Punahou (6-2) in the first contest of the night. The Raider girls (6-1) stayed a game behind Kamehameha in the ILH standings, thanks to a 13-15, 15-13, 15-13 victory over the Buffanblu (4-3) in the nightcap.
The two volleyball victories bookended an 8-6 win by Punahou in water polo. The Buffanblu (3-0) took a 6-1 lead before watching the Raiders (2-1) close to 8-6 in the final 1:24.
The pivotal play came late in the second quarter when, leading 6-3, Buffanblu goalie Robby Field blocked a shot that Kyle Morgan converted on a fast break for a 7-3 margin.
Iolani 2, Punahou 0: After being routed in the 15-minute Game 1, the Buffanblu nearly took it to three. But Iolani, down 14-12 in Game 2, held off two game points while rallying to score four unanswered points to complete the sweep.
Sophomore B.J. Takushi held service for the final four points, including the match-ending ace.
"All I was thinking about was keeping it in," said Takushi. "We really didn't want it to go three. My only thought was ending it in two."
A replay gave the Raiders the chance to do it on the first try. With his team trailing 15-14, sophomore T.J. Zabriskie appeared to put down a kill that would have given Punahou the sideout. Instead it was ruled that the referee had blown his whistle too early, allowing Takushi to retain the serve for what proved to be the match-ender.
Iolani 2, Punahou 1: Both teams played with a lot of heart, said Raider coach Ann Kang. In the end, it was Iolani's "refuse to lose" attitude that proved the difference in the match that lasted over two hours.
"We just never gave up," said Raider senior Kanoe Kamana'o, who had 18 kills and 20 digs.
The loss spoiled the return of senior all-state player Puna Richardson, who had been sidelined with a broken ankle. It also negated the outstanding performance of sophomore Aneli Cubi-Otineru, who put down 37 kills.
In Game 3, Punahou held off four match points while pulling to14-13. On the fifth attempt, Kamana'o blocked Kaui Robello to end it.
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